Automatic fruit elevator



Feb, 1o, 1925. 1,525,870

c. F'.v LEE AUTOMATIC FRUIT ELVATO- Filed Oct. 9e d1925 6 Sliee'ts'f-Sheet 1 z5 5 if 7/ x 50 SZ` 45 lf 5 @M I SH01 mui Feb, l0. 1925. 1,525,870 c. P. ,LEE

AUTOMATIC FRUIT ELEVATR Filed Oct. 9, 1923 6 Shee -Sheet 2 umu eq C. P. LEE

AUTOMATIC FRUIT ELEVATOR Filed Oct. 9, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 attorney Feb. 10. 1925. f 1,525,870 l y c. P. LEE

AUTOMATIC FRUIT ELEVATOR Filed Oct. 9, 1925 6 Sheets-Sheet 0 5a f F4 1\ 7 i@ f7 i?? @Y fa a 55 .50

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AUTOMATIC FRUIT ELEVATOR Feb,v 10, 1925.

Filed Oct. 9, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 lio CAB

Patented F eb. 10, 1925.

` UNITED STATES CLARENCE I. LEE, OF WENATCHEE, WASHINGTON.

AUTOMATIC FRUIT ELEVATOR.

Application filed October 9, 1923,

'T 0 aZZ whom #may con-cern.'

Be it known that I, CLARENCE P. LEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVenatchee,Y in the county of Chelan and Stateof lllashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Fruit Elevators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in elevators, well adapted for use in handling boxes or crates of fruit or the like, while not necessarily restricted to this use.

An important object of the invention is to provide simplified means for feeding the advance box or crate to a position for engagement with the lifting tray of the elevater, while checking the feeding movement of the succeeding boxes.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for retaining` the lifting elements or trays substantially horizontal during their travel, in the load engaging position. i

A. further object of the invention is to provide appara-tus of the above mentioned character, which is automatic and reliable in operation, strong and durable.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be appare-nt during the course of the followingdescription. 1

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a. lifting apparatus embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view through the same, parts in elevation,

Figure 3 is a. horizontal section taken onv line 3--3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4; is a similar view taken on line 4 4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a longitudinal on line 5-5 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a side elevation of one of the guide tracks, A

Figure 6a is a detail section taken on line 621 of Figure 6, and,

Figure 6b is a similar view taken on line (3b-6b of Figure G,

Figure 7 is a central vertical longitudinal section, similar to Figure 2, showing the trip lever depressed,

Figure 8 is a transverse section taken on line 8-8 of Figure 2,

section taken Serial No. 667,536.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the lifting elements or carriers,

Figure 10 is a similar view of the reciprocating feeding conveyor section.

In. the drawings, wherein for the Lpurpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral designates the vertical frame of a straight lift elevator, embodying longitudinal beams 16, which may be mounted upon a suitable base 17. These longitudinal beams may be connected at their upper ends by transverse beams 18. The invention is of course in no sense restricted to the specific type of elevator framel shown.

Arranged within the outer frame 15 is an inner U-shaped frame 19, secured to transverse shafts 20, which are anchored within transverse bars 21, rigidly mounted upon the longitudinal beams 16. The inner frame 19 is spaced from the sides of the outer frame, and sprocket wheels 23 are arranged between the lower end of the inner frame 19 and the sides of the outer frame 15, as clearly shown in Figure 5. These sprocket wheels are carried by stub shafts 2a, rigidly attached to the inner frame 19. Thel upper ends of the inner frame 19 terminate beneath an upper drive shaft 25, journaled within transverse members 26, rigidly attached to the frame beams 16. Rigidly mounted upon the drive shaft 25 are sprocket wheels 27, in alinement with the sprocket wheels 23, and located between the sides of the frame 19 and the sides of the frame 15, as more clearly shown in Figure 5. The transverse shaft 25 is equipped with sprocket wheels 28, rigidly secured thereto, engaging sprocket chains 29, extending upwardly and engaging sprocket wheels 30. These sprocket wheels are rigidly mount-ed upon stub shafts 31, Figures 1 and 5. These stub shafts are journaled in stationary bearings 32. Rigidly secured to the inner ends of the stub shafts 31 are toothed guide wheels 33, for a purpose to be described. The drive shaft 25 is provided at one end with a sprocket 34, rigidly secured thereto, and this sprocket may be engaged by a chain, driven by any suitable source of power.

The numeral 35 designates sprocket chains or endless belts, which travel upon the sprocket wheels 23 and 27. These sprocket chains carry lifting elements or trays 3G, see more particularly Figures 5 and 9.

secured thereto, by welding or the like.

Each lifting element or tray embodies end trays 87.` These end trays are rigidly connected by a transverse bar 38, rigidly The end trays 87 are provided at their endswith inwardly projecting arms or brackets 39, as shown. Pins or bolts 40 are rigidlyattached to the end trays 37 and pass through guide arms 41, which are retained vertical, and thesev pins are rigidly secured to the vertical guide arms 41. The sprocket chains 85 are arranged betweenthe guide arms 41 and the end tray 87, and have openings formed in selected links thereof, for pivotally receiving the pins 40. The pins 40 pro- 'ect exteriorlv of the 0uide arms .41 and.

carry short rollers 42. The numeral 48 designates upper .guidel rollers, pivotal-ly mounted upon the upper ends of the guide arms 4l, andprojecting outwardly. therefrom. The rollers 48 are `longer.v than the rollers 42,. for ay purpose to' be described. The endless chain 35 maycarryv *anyv suitable number of lifting elements or trays, and may be conveniently spaced thereon, as is obvious.

Arranged between the vertical guidevarms 41 and the sides of the frame 15 are verti- Ially arranged tracks 44, which are identical. These t-raeks are` rigidly secured to the inner faces of the sides of the frame l15.

.Each tracks embodies longitudinal passages:

around by the sprocket wheel27 and will clear the edge of the laterally reduced innerwall 46, and travel upon the intermediate curved track portion 48 and be conducted into `the opposite longitudinal'passage 1n passing downwardly through the passage the longer roller V46 engages with a laterally reduced deliecting rail 46 and is thereby guided into Vone of the downwardly converging passages 47, while the shorter roller 42 lwill clear the rail 46', and continue with the sprocket chain. through the extension 48 of the passage 45. The outer wall 49 of this extension is straight while its inner wall 5() is curved, as shown. The roller 42 will travel around with the lower sprocket wheel 28 and hence enter the op* posite passage 48, clearing the rail 46 and entering the other passage45. The longer roller 43 traveling down one diverging'pas sage 47 enters the vertical passage 51, in communication with these two passages, at their lower ends.v The switch point 52 vertical elevator is aninclined carrier 54,v

embodying inclined rails 55, mounted upon one side of the frame V15, and supported by standards 56. These rails carry sides,

The rails 55 are equippedwvith rollers or wheels 58, which are freely rotatable, to permit of the automatic gravitation of boxes Aor crates 59 thereon. Arranged in advanceV of the rollers 58, andV spaced therefrom,`- are elevated inclined rail sections 60, disposed at an elevation above the rollers 58. rail sections are supported by the rails 55 and carry rollers or wheels 6l.r Mounted upon the inner stationary 'frame 19, is a rearwardly projecting U-shaped rest element or track 62, rigidly attached to the frame 19. This U-shaped track is preferably horizontal and carries rollers or wheels 63. As clearly shown in Figure 2, the lowermost transverse shaft 4-or rod` 2O is arranged near and above the rest element or These viding a passage 64, and the transverse con-j necting bar88 travels through this passage, with the box resting directly over the pas' sage, as shown.

Arranged near the upper sprocket wheel 27 and upon the oppositev side of the machine is an inclined rest 65, including rails 66 carrying rotatable elements or wheels 67. An inclined package carrier 68 is arranged near and spaced from the rest element 65, and the transverse bar 88 of the lifting ele'- ment passes between the same, as shown.

Simplified means are provided to feed the' `advance box or crate upon the elevated rail sections of the carrier and to positively prevent the succeeding boxes from passing thereon, until the first box has been carried upwardly a suitable distance by the ele vator. This means embodies a reciprocating inclined carrier section, including rail lsections 69, adapted to rest within recessesv 70 formed in the rails These rail secarrow, Figure 2, the

tions, when in the lowered position, are flush with the upper edges 7l of the rails 55, while the elevated rail sections project above the same for substantial distances, affording stop shoulders 72. The rail sections 69 carrying rollers or wheels 73, rotatable thereon, the peripheries of which are flush with the peripheries of the rollers 58, when in the lowered position. 'Vhen the rail sections 69 are shifted to the upper position, the peripheries of the rollers 78 become flush with the peripheries of the rollers 61, forming in effect an inclined carrier section therewith, the rear ends 74 of the rail sections G9 now projecting above the edges 71, constitute stop shoulders, to prevent the next box from gravitating upon the inclined reciprocating carrier section, as clearly shown in Figure 7. The next box therefore cannot -pass to the vertical elevator, to be raised thereby until the box supported by the elevated rail sections and rest, has been carried upwardly a sutiicient distance.

The rail sections 69 are rigidly mounted upon upstanding bars 7 5, which are inclined, and positively guided within guide-elements 7G, which may be rigidly attached to the rails by any suitable means. These bars 75 are connected at their upper and lower ends by transverse strips or bars 77 and 7 8.

The transverse bar 78 has a slotted pivotal connection with a vertically swinging trip lever 79, arranged beneath the inclined carrier and extending longitudinally thereof at its central vlongitudinal axis, and projecting through the bottom of the elevator frame. This lever 7 9 is pivoted at 80, to swing in a vertical plane, and its free end operates within a vertical guide 81. The lever 79 is provided outwardly of its pivot 8O with a curved or cam .face 82, arranged in the path of travel of the transverse' bar 3S of the lifting elements, as each lifting element approaches its lowermost position, the lever 79 is therefore depressed by the bar 39.

The operation of the apparatus is yas follows: Y

With the parts arranged as more clearly shown in Figure 2, the forward box is supported upon the elevated rail sections and associated elements. The next box is held against forward movement by engaging with the shoulder 72, and is supported upon the vertically reciprocating inclined carrier section. Upon the further travel of the sprocket chains 35, in the direction of the next lifting element 86 will move into engagement with the bottom of the box and carry it upwardly. This lifting elementl is retained in the horizontal position, by virtue of the vertical arrangement of the guide arms 41, which are in turn maintained vertical. The upper longer rollers 43 remain within the passages 45 and travel into the curved passage 47, and are `there engaged by the toothed guide vwheels 33, positively locking therewith, and traveling around to the opposite side of the same. The shorter roller being arranged at the connection with the sprocket chain, is carried around, by the sprocket wheel 27, about the curved intermediate track section 4S, and transmitted to the passage 45 at about the time that the long roller enters the upper end of this passage. As the lifting element approaches its lowermost position, the longer roller enters the converging passage 47, while the shorter roller travels through the passage 48 and about the lower sprocket wheel 23. The longer roller then travels upwardly through the passage 5l, to the left,

over switch point 52 and through the passage 47 t-o the left and again into-the vertical passage 45, while the lower roller then enters the vertical passage 48. This lifting element' having passed the package carrier 68,'has delivered the box upon the same, which is gravitated longitudinally thereof. As this lifting element approaches its lowermost position, its transverse bar 38 passes over the cam face 82, depressing the lever 79. This elevates the reciprocating carrier section, whereby the box supported thereon, Figure 2,r will now gravitate upon the elevatedrail section 60, Figure 7. The next box isv held against downward Vmovement by the elevated shoulder 74. The further travel of this elevating element releases the lever 79, and the reciprocating carrier section will drop, and the next box roll thereon, Figure 2, and be held against further forward movement, by engagement with the Vshoulder 72. This operation is repeated in connection with each elevating element.

The above described operation contemplates the discharge of the boxes from a lower level to an upper level, by the medium of the elevator. The operation may be reversed, in which event the weight 52 connected to the opposite end of the lever 53, whereby the switch point 52 is normally held in the position to the left, Figure 6. The box or the like may then be passed from the carrier 68 down the elevator and delivered upon the elevated track section G0 and moved upon the reciprocating carrier section G9.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In an apparatus of the character described, an upstanding elevator, and an inlclined gravity carrier leading to the `elevatoigsaid carrier'having lowered and ele- 'said reciprocating section being substanf tially flush with the lowered section when in the lower position with the elevatedfsec tion projecting above Athe same,` and ineans' to raise and lower the iecil'arocating section. 2fln an apparatus of the character described, an Aupstanding elevator, and an inclined vgravity carrier leading tOtheelevatoi', said carrier having'low'ered 'and elef l5 Isection'disposedbetween'the'rst named sections, said reciprocating'section being substantially ilush with they lowered section when in thelower position and substantially flush with Vthe elevated section when inthe raised position,"tlie rear end of thei and means to raise and llower ,gravity carrier leading to the elevator, said carrier embodying sections disposedat difelevated section constituting 'a stop for the load on the reciprocating section when it is.

lowered andthe rear end of the: recipro eating section vconstituting astop tor the and lower theV reciprocating section.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, an upstanding elevator, an inclined vertically v mounted between the first .named sections, the recipro` eating section.

4. In an apparatus ofthe character de-v scribed, an upstantling elevator, van inclined ferent elevations, a bodily substantially verticallyV positively reciprocating section between the rstnamed sections', and means automatically operated by a movable part or the Velevator to; raise and lower the reciprocating section.

5. In an apparatus of the Vcharacter de-U scribed, an upstanding elevator, an inclined elevated gravity carrier section leading to the elevator, a lowered inclined gravity carrier section terminating near the elevated. section, a substantially vertically inclined reciprocating gravity carrier section ai'- ranged between Vthe first named sections, positive means to guide the reciprocating section in its movement and to hold it against perceptible V longitudinal movement upon its vertical movement, a trip lever connected withthe reciprocating section and arranged in the path of travel of a part of the elevator, and discharge means receiving the load from the elevator.

6. In an apparatus of the character de: scribed,l an upstanding elevator, a carrier "4 leading-to the elevator and embodying secsection` disposed between the first named sections,

secured yto each and lower'ends,

load on the lowered section when thereciprocating section is raised, and means to raisev rollers and carry vthe tudinalmovement, and means to move the reciprocating sections.

i. In an apparatus of vthe character ydescribedfa carrier, and an u'pstanding elevai load rrom'tlie carrier, said" elevator comprising an upstanding frame, if'ated sections, and an inclined reciprocating tor receiving th an endless conveyor mounted lthereon vand including a plurality of spaced lifting elements, upstanding guide' arms secured to the litting 'elements 'for controlling then' level of thefsame,` the reciprocating' lateral movement, rollers of diierent lengths guide arm near its upper track devices secured to the frame and arranged Vupon 4each side of `the 'endless "conveyor, eachtracl; device embod'yf ing a pair of deep longitudinal guide passages' connected at their upper ends' by a shallow transverse, curved guide passage,

deep 'extension guide passages leading into the lower ends of the longitudinal deep passages, downwardly converging deep passages leadingpinto'the lower ends of vthev deep-v longitudinal deep passages, an inner vertical passage connecting the ends Yor the converging'passages, a pivoted switch point disposed at the jun'c'ture'of the converging to' liold this switch point in one position,

track sections interposed between the lower 4ends of the longitudinal deep'Y passages and vdeep passage extensions,

the longitudinal toothed guide vwheels arranged in concentric relation to the curved shallow guide ypass'- ages and adapted to 'engage with the long same through 4the curved passage,

guide wheels.

8. An apparatusy of the character described, an elevator comprising an upstandingframe, endless conveyor elements mounted upon the frame, lifting ele.- ments connected with the endless 'conveyor elements, ulistandingl guide arms shallowv `deflecrting means to drive the endless coiiveyor,*and means tol drive Vthev toothed i tions, and guide wheels disposed near and concentrically with respect to the curved track portions and adapted to positively engage with the long rollers.

9. An apparatus of the character described, comprising an upstanding frame, an endless conveyor mounted thereon embodying a plurality of spaced lifting elements, each lifting element having a trip member, an inclined gravity carrier leading to the elevator, embodying sections disposed at different elevations, a positive reciprocating section arranged between the iirst named sections, and a single trip lever extending longitudinall)T of the carrier and pivoted to swing in a vertical plane andY connected with the carrier and having its rear end projecting' under the endless conveyor, such rear end being arranged in the path of travel ot the trip members.

lO. An apparatus of the character described, comprising an upstanding fra-me, an endless conveyor mounted thereon embodying a plurality of spaced lifting elements, each lifting element having a trip member, a carrier arranged upon one side of the frame and embodying sections disposed in diferent elevations, a positively reciprocating section arranged between the first named sections, a single trip lever extending longitudinally of the carrier and having its forward end projecting through the frame beneath the endless conveyor and having a cam face disposed in the path of travel oi2 the trip members, means to pivotally support the trip lever, and means to connect the rear end of the trip lever with the reciproeating section.

' In testimony whereof I aiiX my signature.

CLARENCE P. LEE` 

